The We Are Family Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Youth To The Front Fund: The Creatives, a global opportunity aimed at supporting young creative leaders and collectives who are using art, culture, and storytelling to drive meaningful social change across communities.
The programme comes at a time when many societies are facing uncertainty, inequality, and cultural loss, with creatives increasingly stepping forward to respond through innovative and community-driven work. From storytelling and performance to design and digital expression, these young leaders are not only preserving culture but also challenging injustice and shaping more inclusive futures.
Applications are open to creatives and collectives working across a wide range of disciplines, including visual arts, music, writing, film, architecture, and digital technology. The fund is particularly focused on projects that use creativity as a tool for advocacy, education, and civic engagement, while also strengthening both human and environmental systems.
Selected applicants will receive direct funding to support exhibitions, research, programmes, and other creative interventions that address systemic issues. Beyond financial support, participants will also gain access to mentorship, strategic guidance, and a global network of cultural organisers, storytellers, and partners across the arts, policy, and social impact sectors.
The initiative is open to individuals and groups with founding leaders under the age of 30, especially those whose work centres underserved communities and actively challenges inequality, injustice, and systemic barriers. It also encourages projects that align with key focus areas such as arts and social justice, climate action, education equity, and community participation.
Through this effort, the foundation continues its broader mission of nurturing young people who are actively working to create positive change in their communities while promoting cultural diversity on a global scale. The fund also builds connections among creatives across different regions, enabling collaboration and shared learning.
Applications for the 2026 cycle are currently ongoing and will close on April 6, 2026. Interested applicants can access full details and submit their entries through the official application portal here: https://apply.wearefamilyfoundation.org/submit.
The programme stands as a significant opportunity for emerging creatives to scale their ideas, amplify their voices, and translate creative expression into measurable impact within their communities and beyond.
